Working from Home: Voices of the Family Child Care Workforce in New Jersey

• In Event: Work, Care Work, and Policy Design: Reimagining Labor Supports Across Contexts

Abstract

Family child care (FCC) providers, as part of a larger group of home-based child care options available to families, are a critical, yet understudied, component of the care economy. Research suggests that nearly 40% of working mothers rely on home-based child care providers to meet their care needs (National Association for Family Child Care, 2024). FCCs provide care within their own communities, which are more likely to be in rural, low-income, and diverse areas, providing a home-based and culturally-matched setting for families, who may prefer this option over more formal center-based care. Moreover, because FCC providers are licensed business establishments and must comply with guidance set forth by their respective licensing and monitoring agencies, policy interventions to grow this sector are feasible and of growing interest across the U.S.

This paper presentation will share mixed-methods findings from a state-wide survey of licensed FCC providers in New Jersey (n = 208, with 131 English responses and 77 Spanish responses) and a series focus groups (n = 34) designed to explore the relationships behind associations identified in the survey findings. Survey questions asked about their work characteristics, motivations to care for children in their homes, and what policymakers could do to improve their working conditions. Quantitative analyses focus on understanding typical provider experiences and common challenges. Focus groups reveal the complexities of operating a small business, complying with relevant care regulations, and providing high-quality care, detailing the unique challenges experienced by this segment of the child care workforce. As efforts aim to build the capacity of FCC providers in New Jersey and other states, findings provide insights into approaches to aid in the recruitment and retention of the FCC workforce.

Authors

• Liana Lin, Rutgers University - New Brunswick
  Non-Presenting Co-Author

• Andrea Hetling, Rutgers University - New Brunswick
  Presenting Author